Ekosem-Agrar, the German holding company of Russian milk producer Ekoniva, increased milk sales by 35% to €64.1 million last year. This was despite the unresolved Ukraine conflict, Russia’s economic crisis and considerable exchange rate effects resulting from the negative trend of the rouble. Further expanding its position as Russia’s leading raw milk producer, Ekoniva’s dairy cow herd was expanded by 14% from 19,300 to 22,000 animals last year (total number of cattle nearly 50,000). Milk output rose by 28% to roughly 153,700 tonnes, and while daily production peaked at 520 tonnes in June last year, average daily milk output for the year was 430 tonnes (+16.2%). Main shareholder and managing director Stefan Dürr of Ekosem-Agrar says the 2014 financial results are clear proof the business model is solid and crisis-resistant even in an extremely adverse market environment. “We are excellently positioned also for market phases characterised by lower milk prices,” he says. “If everything goes to plan, we expect sales revenues to grow by at least 20% in the future.”